Praise for the Coleman stove

[Petrol & Powder]

I keep a few gasoline powered camp stoves that are only used to melt lead. The gasoline units are cheap and easily found. Of the American made products, the Coleman stoves are as common as crabgrass and amazingly simple.

The other day I wanted to convert a large pig of Linotype into 1 pound ingots and pulled out an old Coleman stove to provide the heat needed. That Coleman, an old 425E that I purchased from a charity store for next to nothing, was up to the task.
As typical of any neglected camp stove, it needed a little fiddling to get it running but that's half the fun. The leather used in the pump was dry and it wouldn't seal. A little bit of Ballistol and about 2 minutes of disassembly / reassembly and I was in business!

Coleman stoves are certainly not the highest grade camp stoves to be found, but for the money they sure do perform.

[rancher1913]

I have some rocket stoves that I keep around for emergencies because I have an abundance of kindling. same thing but different.

[Petrol & Powder]

I have some nice camp stoves that run on kerosene that never get anywhere near lead. But for cheap and quick heat, the old gasoline powered units are hard to beat.

[Shopdog]

I started casting on a Coleman stove my parents bought with "green stamps". They bought a new stove,gave me the old one back in the '70's. Cast a boatload of bullets on that poor old thing.

Fast fwd..... for YEARS,after getting a Lyman 10# bttm pour(still using),I would run the pot a little on the hot side and drop sprues back in during casting..... not recommending,but it does work.

Now,there's again a Coleman present during casting. It's a single burner propane model. Taking the old cast iron dipper pot from the "early" years and sitting it on top of the single burner. Dump sprues in it...... when it gets about half full or needing to slow down casting cadence.... light it up. SO fast. Dump it in the Lyman,flux and it should be about GTG on mould temp again.

So after all these years,am back with a Coleman....sort of.

[Petrol & Powder]

In addition to green suitcase two burner Coleman stoves, I have a single burner Coleman 533 that I picked up on sale years ago. They go for about $65 new and I paid far less than half of that for it on clearance, new in the box. I think they were just trying to get rid of them.
It was my go-to stove for casting round balls for cap & ball revolvers. It's not the strongest design and I wouldn't trust it with a lot of weight but it holds one of those little RCBS cast iron pots perfectly.

I went to fire it up the other day and the check valve was stuck open. It would release all of the pressure through the pump. I pulled the pump out, found a big screwdriver and removed the check valve. 15 seconds and some Kroil, fixed. Reassembled and back in business.

Pressurized, Liquid fueled stoves and lanterns require some mechanical aptitude and a little knowledge but they were the mainstays for decades. There is a longer learning curve with those devices than with some of the modern equipment but I mastered it when I was about 12. The younger generations seem to be fearful of them or just plain don't want to learn. The upside to that shift away from liquid fueled devices is the cost of old equipment is very low.

An old Primus, Optimus or Petromax is great piece of gear ! The Coleman stuff ubiquitous and amazingly durable despite its low cost.
I'm a sucker for an old lantern or stove and will pick up a used one just to have a project.

[Gewehr-Guy]

I've drug home several old Coleman stoves from my junk yard hunting expeditions, and agree that they are fun to get up and running again.
Also have a tiny Svea 123 stove, and more than a few old Coleman lanterns. They are kind of like fixing on old motorcycle carburators.

[JonB_in_Glencoe]

Hello,
My Name is Jon
I am a Coleman gasoline stove addict :redneck:

:castmine:

[Petrol & Powder]

And the group answers in unison, Hi Jon...…..

[ShooterAZ]

I'm also a Coleman Stove addict, I have several. But even more so, I'm a Coleman Lantern addict. I've got an old Coleman gasoline stove that I use for melting isotope cores, works like a champ for that task.

[georgerkahn]

In my area, I pretty much have benched my Essence-fueled Coleman stove -- a 2-burner from the late 1950s -- the one with the round fuel tank. Reason? Coleman fuel seems almost impossible to find. On occasion a Wal*Mart has it, but not at store in my town, necessitating a 30+ mile drive, and just 5 cents less than a fourteen dollar bill to purchase a gallon. Do you use Coleman fuel?
I "upped" mine to a second, Propane powered Coleman stove...never tried this one for lead melting -- the metal seems thinner than the Coleman-fuel one, and I've been apprehensive re the weight of a cast iron pan filled with lead upon it.
Again, curious re fuel you use?
geo

[W.R.Buchanan]

I have 4 Coleman Lanterns and 4 Stoves.

3 full size 2 Mantel Lanterns and one Backpacker size single burner lantern. A 2 Burner Camp Stove, and Single Burner Stove, a Backpacker Stove and a US Army Single Burner WW2 Stove in it's Aluminum case that doubles as a pot and a cup.

I love these things and try to pull them all out and fire them up once a year.

Keep the tanks full of fuel and they won't dry the leather pump seals out. Also Spark Lighters are a must on the Lanterns and Stoves. Any decent Hardware Store like a Tru Value or ACE will have everything that is needed to maintain Coleman Lanterns and Stoves and Walmart does too.

These things are and have been mainstays of "Outdoor Living" and Camping and work real well in a pinch,,, like when your power gets shut off or you get flooded out by a storm. Having a good quality tent, some cots and sleeping bags, and some coolers is not a wrong idea either.

Being able to live comfortably away from home for 1-2 weeks is kind of a basic necessity. In today's world you never know what's going to happen next, and if you aren't at least somewhat prepared, you're at the mercy of others. You never know how that will work out?

You guys back East have frequent Floods, Tornados, Hurricanes, Snow Blizzards, and all kinds of other horrendous stuff.

We here in California only have Earthquakes, Fires, and Liberals. I'm still good to go in a heartbeat.

Randy

[GregLaROCHE]

I counted on a number of different ones for daily life, when I lived in Alaska. Double burner in the cabin, when it was too hot to light the stove. Single burner in the plane for camping or just in case for an emergency.

[Petrol & Powder]

I far prefer kerosene to gasoline for the important stoves & lanterns but keep the gasoline units on hand for the occasional lead melting duty.

I can't remember the last time I purchased Coleman fuel, unleaded non-ethanol gasoline works just fine. I've heard all the horror stories about unleaded gasoline plugging up the generator or orifice but guess what? It hasn't happened. And, if it does happen; what have I lost? A $5.00 second hand stove?

I'm not a "prepper" or survivalist. I keep kerosene camp stoves on hand because I like them. I keep gasoline camp stoves on hand because they are cheap and work.

[JonB_in_Glencoe]

...SNIP

Again, curious re fuel you use?
geo
I use non-oxy Gasoline...I tried the regular gas 10% enthanol blend in MN and I get more yellow flame than non-oxy gasoline.
With non-oxy Gas, you still get more yellow flame than Coleman fuel. I do have to clean the regulator once in a while, due to using automotive gasoline, due to additives I imagine.

[JonB_in_Glencoe]

I went through my collection this spring. I had several recent purchases and just didn't have room for them all. I checked for rust in tank and checked/cleaned the regulars. I disposed of 4 units, one was an older round tank and another was a different brand. I kept one unit for parts...it's an nice place to store any extra parts I saved. listed below are what's currently in the collection

Standard sized 2 burner stoves:
one brand new, never used, with original vintage cardboard box from 1970s.
Four in excellent condition
One ugly functional unit dedicated for Lead
one wax covered unit for beeswax and lube

Large size two burner stoves:
Three in pretty good shape...I love these for canning, because of the larger tank.

Large size three burner stoves:
one is tough shape but functional
one in excellent shape.
I love the large 3 burner for brewing beer...I usually have all three burners going.

[fiberoptik]

I’ve picked up at least 5 on the side of the road waiting for trash pick up. They seem to like hanging out with the old sewing machines that weighed 50 lbs in the cases with top handles. Grabbed half a dozen of those as well. Clean em up & find em a home [emoji536]. I like bringing rusty tools back to life as well.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Winger Ed.]

[QUOTE=J I do have to clean the regulator once in a while, due to using automotive gasoline, due to additives I imagine.[/QUOTE]

Exactly.
Coleman fuel is basic, pure, gasoline without any additives at all.
In the old days, when pump gas was 25 cents a gallon, you could buy 'white gas' for 12-15cents a gal.
It was the original 'no-lead' and didn't have road taxes on it. That was the original Coleman fuel also.

To minimize the amount of the additives package- which is what clogs the little generator valve-
get the cheapest no-lead gas. you can find.

Alcohol added fuel will work, but the alcohol doesn't burn quite as hot.

[Dale53]

Just a few years ago, a hurricane (yeah, a hurricane in Ohio, of all things) struck and we were without power for nearly a week (nearly all of Ohio was in the same shape). It was a minor inconvenience to us simply because I brought out my old Coleman stove along with my charcoal grills. Others nearby were in nearly a panic - they had nothing (no stove and no idea of how to manage - I mean NO idea how to manage). I still have my back pack equipment even tho' I am a REAL senior citizen, and having no power can be handled.

So, yeah, I kind of like the Coleman equipment, myself. Yes, I have also cast with mine (Lyman lead pot and a dipper).

FWIW,
Dale53

[EDG]

I am not an addict, I just know a good deal when I see one.
I have 4 or 5 (2) burner Coleman gasoline stoves. None of them have seen significant use and 2 of them are still in the original shop worn boxes. I also have about that many one burner Coleman stoves.

I suppose I have these stoves because of the excellent service I have received from a cheap 2 burner Coleman propane stove. A friend of mine had used it for casting a few round balls. He gave it to me with an excellent 1 quart cast iron sauce pan that has a pour spout. I used the propane stove and the sauce pan to smelt clip on wheel weights since I did not have that many. After cleaning up the pan I use it to alloy my 20-1 BPCR lead-tin alloy.

At first I burned up a few small propane bottles. I then bought an extension hose with adapter that fits the stove on one end and the POL valve from a 20 lb propane bottle on the other end. By trolling the neighbor hood on trash pickup day I found 2 propane grills being tossed out complete with old 20 lb bottles. I now have a total of (3) 20 lb bottles. This gives me a good supply of propane if needed.

In the mean time if I need heat to cook with, another propane stove will work with what I have or a couple of gallons of unleaded gas will put the gasoline stoves into service.
With a good generator I could keep food cold but I have not found one of those on the curb yet.

Lessons learned from hunting in remote locations
Things needed
1. Clean water
2. Food
3. Stay dry
4. Fire
5. toilet paper
6. Sleep

[GregLaROCHE]

I’ve had some kerosene stoves and lamps too. I used a propane torch to start them instead of alcohol. I also connected a five gallon garden sprayer to the stove instead of the regular tank. Didn’t have to fill it often and when I did it was easy. Also a lot easier to give a few strokes on that big hand pump and it was good to go for cooking a whole meal.

I used to have a kerosene fridge too. Anyone remember those? I don’t know if they still make them. If they’re not electric today, they are probably propane.

[Petrol & Powder]

I do remember the absorption type refrigerators. They use a small flame to provide the energy needed to run the system.
Servel (Dometic) are no longer made but there are other brands still being made.
My grandfather had a propane powered one. The Aladdin lamp company made kerosene burners for the kerosene powered refrigerators.
The systems are nearly silent, very durable and are very simple. The downside is the added heat due to the flame, the required venting and the slow recovery when heat is added to the interior of the unit (like when you open the door and add something room temperature to be cooled).

The low voltage DC refrigerators will probably eventually replace the old ammonia based absorption refrigerators. In a warm sunny climate a solar panel, battery and charge controller will do the same thing as that flame. In a cold climate you don't really need a refrigerator :smile: !

[Gewehr-Guy]

A kero fridge would be a fun project to have in the shop, able to have a cold beverage while casting over a gasoline stove. After our Oct snow, I think it is time to unpack one of my old stoves, and make sure it is still in working order. I also just bought 20 gal of kerosene, just in case our power goes down.

After reading through this thread, I think I will take a burner out of one of my rougher condition stoves, and build a heavy duty stand for it, something that would safely hold my 80 pound capacity lead pot.

[Jniedbalski]

My grandfather in the 50’s and 60 used what he called white gas just plane unleaded Gas in his Boy Scout troupe . When I was in we also used just plane unleaded gas. I have used it for over 35 years in my Colmen stoves. Colmen fuel is just to expensive

[Mr_Sheesh]

RVs and Boats tend to use the Ammonia cycle fridges (Edison fridge IIRC?)

Another good few skills to know are how to make a Methanol stove, and how to make a Rocket or Hobo stove

[JM7.7x58]

I have three Coleman stoves. Two of them are for lead smelting/casting. The other is for camping. I don’t want lead spatter anywhere near my cooking gear.

The two that I use for smelting are the older heavyweight stoves. I have a 413E with a gold tank and a 413G with a red tank. I paid 8 dollars for one and 7 dollars for the other. They both have needed the pumps disassembled and the leather pump cups oiled. One of them seems to foul it’s generator tube more than the other one.

Over the years as a camper I had acquired three or four gallons of Coleman fuel (yard sales), it is almost gone. From what I’ve read Coleman fuel is basically Naphtha. In areas that have a large Amish community they sell it in bulk and you can get your cans refilled. I wish I had access to this stuff in bulk. Even ethanol free gasoline is a twenty mile drive for me. I haven’t used gas in these stoves yet. I guess it can’t hurt. I do think that if I convert over to gasoline it will only be for my lead melting stoves. I’ll continue to run the “good fuel” in my camping stove.

JM

[Petrol & Powder]

JM, I'm with you on keeping lead away from my cooking gear. My stoves used for cooking never get near lead and my stoves used or melting lead never get near food.

As for the Coleman fuel verses unleaded gasoline, I've never had a problem with burning unleaded gasoline in a Coleman stove. And frankly, if you have an $8 stove........what do you have to lose?

And yes, Coleman fuel is Naphtha (or white gas as it is sometimes known). It stores well and doesn't contain the additives of gasoline but unleaded gasoline works just fine in Coleman gas stoves.

I use non-ethanol unleaded gas but I'm not sure that 10% ethanol would be a problem in a Coleman stove, other than maybe slightly reducing the BTU output.

All of my "good" stoves are set up to run on kerosene (different gas generators) and I really prefer that fuel for cook stoves.

[Mytmousemalibu]

Another Coleman/GPA collector checking in!

And collector of kero/wick burning appliances.

[JonB_in_Glencoe]

RVs and Boats tend to use the Ammonia cycle fridges (Edison fridge IIRC?)

Another good few skills to know are how to make a Methanol stove, and how to make a Rocket or Hobo stove
During my neighborhood's road/utility reconstruction a couple years ago, I scored a slightly damaged storm sewer drain grate, that wasn't hauled away with other Iron they planned on recycling. I have been thinking about a brick rocket stove.

https://momwithaprep.com/build-brick-rocket-stove/

[MostlyLeverGuns]

I actually cast bullets in my college dorm room using a single burner Coleman - 1969(KSU) - 45 Hawes dual cylinder, single cavity Lyman 454424, COWW. Still have the working stove, 'loaned' mold to 'friend', won't do that again. Dorm had 'arms room'.

Above 8500 ft altitude, I found 'Coleman fuel' did not work very well, unleaded gas works much better. Before 'unleaded' gas appeared, leaded gas was used, but the generator would clog after several gallons. Generators were cheaper than Coleman fuel at that time so were simply replaced.

[JM7.7x58]

JM, I'm with you on keeping lead away from my cooking gear. My stoves used for cooking never get near lead and my stoves used or melting lead never get near food.

As for the Coleman fuel verses unleaded gasoline, I've never had a problem with burning unleaded gasoline in a Coleman stove. And frankly, if you have an $8 stove........what do you have to lose?

And yes, Coleman fuel is Naphtha (or white gas as it is sometimes known). It stores well and doesn't contain the additives of gasoline but unleaded gasoline works just fine in Coleman gas stoves.

I use non-ethanol unleaded gas but I'm not sure that 10% ethanol would be a problem in a Coleman stove, other than maybe slightly reducing the BTU output.

All of my "good" stoves are set up to run on kerosene (different gas generators) and I really prefer that fuel for cook stoves.

The next time that I'm passing by the marina (where I can get ethanol-free) I'm gonna pick up five gallons. I've been wanting to start running it in my landscaping tools that have small gasoline engines. I can never seem to remember to take a can with me when I go that way.

JM

[JM7.7x58]

JM, I'm with you on keeping lead away from my cooking gear. My stoves used for cooking never get near lead and my stoves used or melting lead never get near food.

As for the Coleman fuel verses unleaded gasoline, I've never had a problem with burning unleaded gasoline in a Coleman stove. And frankly, if you have an $8 stove........what do you have to lose?

And yes, Coleman fuel is Naphtha (or white gas as it is sometimes known). It stores well and doesn't contain the additives of gasoline but unleaded gasoline works just fine in Coleman gas stoves.

I use non-ethanol unleaded gas but I'm not sure that 10% ethanol would be a problem in a Coleman stove, other than maybe slightly reducing the BTU output.

All of my "good" stoves are set up to run on kerosene (different gas generators) and I really prefer that fuel for cook stoves.

The next time that I'm passing by the marina (where I can get ethanol-free) I'm gonna pick up five gallons. I've been wanting to start running it in my landscaping tools that have small gasoline engines. I can never seem to remember to take a can with me when I go that way.

JM

[Winger Ed.]

The next time that I'm passing by the marina (where I can get ethanol-free) I'm gonna pick up five gallons. I've been wanting to start running it in my landscaping tools that have small gasoline engines. I can never seem to remember to take a can with me when I go that way.
JM

For 2 strokes, the alcohol will actually run them a little better.
The combustion flame is a little cooler, and they'll wind out to a bit higher rpm.

At least that's what the 2 stroke outboard boat racers claim.

[shaune509]

Crown fuel is about 2/3rds the cost of Coleman fuel at Wally world.
Shaune509

[Mytmousemalibu]

The next time that I'm passing by the marina (where I can get ethanol-free) I'm gonna pick up five gallons. I've been wanting to start running it in my landscaping tools that have small gasoline engines. I can never seem to remember to take a can with me when I go that way.

JM

You can also check small regional airports that deal with general aviation. Many now have Mo-gas or Auto-gas. Its just 100% ethanol free 87 octane. Gives you more options, might be cheaper than the marina too. Don't get 100LL though, it will foul small engines quickly.

Around here many of our gas stations now offer ethanol free 87 at a price increase over ethanol blends but it is easy to find.

[mazo kid]

My portable gas stove collection contains a vintage Coleman double burner that we purchased new, 2 WW II single burner units and 2 Coleman single burner units that were both purchased new. The newer one of those was labeled as being able to use any gas fuel. That one is the only one regularly used for camping today. Haven't tried casting with any yet, but that is an option. I'm sure the 3 older units will require some "tweaking" to get running
again. My last purchase of Coleman gas was a garage sale find; a gallon can for $1.00! Still have most of that left.

[Mr_Sheesh]

The two down sides of using a Coleman stove for pouring your own -

* The grid bars will get a bit warped and change color a bit, from being held under heavy load and high heat for so long.

* The tank will need to be refilled every now and then for you younguns who can cast in really long sessions.